8 Helpful Breastfeeding Tips for New Moms & Moms-To-Be

When you’re still pregnant your body starts producing colostrum. Colostrum is a nutrient-rich, syrupy, pre-milk miracle that your baby needs in its first few days of life.

After two to three days your body typically starts producing milk; however, it can take five or six days for some moms, and that’s OK.

Know That Newborns Nurse A LOT

Newborns are constantly hungry, and that’s OK. Breastmilk is the perfect food for babies, and is quickly digested. With a stomach the size of an egg, it’s expected that babies will need to refuel often.

Try Not to Worry Too Much About Supply

How much milk you can pump is not at all related to how much milk your baby is getting. As long as your baby is making at least five or six wet diapers a day, your supply is just fine.

Learn to Love Cluster Feedings

The time when many moms worry the most is when baby suddenly goes from feeding every few hours to demanding to nurse every few minutes. Growth spurts usually last two or three days and happen at about 1 week old, 3 weeks old, 6 weeks old, and again at 3, 4, 6, and 9 months old.

Tend Tender Nipples

Your own breast milk is the best remedy, next, rubbing purified lanolin onto your nipples after each nursing session can help prevent chafing and excessive dryness. The tannins in tea are also great for healing–for blisters and cracks, a teabag makes an excellent warm compress.

Drink Water Often

It takes a lot of water to make milk. Until your body regulates and figures out exactly what it’s doing, you’re going to need a lot of water. A nice reusable water bottle should be on every mom-to-be’s baby registry.

Discuss Breastfeeding Expectations With Your Partner Before the Baby is Here

Before the baby is born, discuss your desire to breastfeed. Let your partner know that you’re probably going to have a moment of doubt, and that it’s their job to help and remind you how important it is to you to breastfeed your child.

Practice Makes Perfect

Breastfeeding is a huge adjustment and can take a lot of time.

The beauty of breastfeeding is that after you and baby figure out how to latch, how to hold, what to eat, what to drink, and how to sit. It takes time to figure everything out, so please go easy on yourself.